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County SealNews from the Mecklenburg County
Department of Social Services
 
April 2010
 Mary WilsonGreetings!
 
I have an urgent plea for you: Help us prevent child abuse! Our
community has seen a tragic rise in child fatalities this spring. Families are under more stress than ever before. Our area's unemployment rate continues to hover at 12 percent -- well above the national average of 9.7 percent. Foreclosure rates remain high. We see the distress in the faces of the people who visit our agency every day looking for help. Our community--and its children--are suffering. And they have been for a long time.
 
In recent months, we have seen a higher-than-usual number of child deaths attributed to things such as lack of supervision, kerosene heaters, inappropriate discipline, co-sleeping and homicide. 
 
Abuse, and the stresses that often lead to abuse, never discriminates. Those who abuse represent every possible age, socioeconomic background and ethnicity. Some parents and caregivers are depressed. Some are angry over their livelihoods being taken away from them because of a layoff. Some are simply overwhelmed by the responsibilities of parenthood now that they are home with their children all day instead of working. They may lack coping mechanisms or education about safe, healthy parenting.
 
That is where you come in. We know that our agency is mandated to provide child protective services. Keeping kids safe and families healthy lie at the core of what we do every day at DSS. But sadly, it isn't enough. We need to spread the prevention message outside of our walls--to our families at the dinner table, to our colleagues at the conference table, to our neighbors at the grocery store and to our friends at church. We cannot do it alone.
 
If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, call Child Protective Services at 704-336-CARE (2273). You do not have to reveal your identity when you call. Also, please view our Web site with important information about the signs of abuse.

 
Paul Risk of DSS's Youth and Family Services, Brett Loftis of The Council for Children's Rights and Chief District Court Judge Lisa Bell were on WFAE's Charlotte Talks on this morning to discuss the process of determining parental rights in cases of abuse and government or community responsibility. The discussion focused on the challenges of determining when to take children into custody, when to preserve parental rights, the criteria for such determinations and the impact of moving children out of homes.

 

Lastly, I encourage each of you to attend The Turn of the Screw, which premiers tonight (see article below). Tickets are still available! Order them online, at the door, or call 704-372-1000.

 
 

Thank you for everything you do to make our families and children safe,
 
Mary

CAAM Walk 2010

 

April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month

 
CAAM Kickoff
The community came together on Saturday, March 27, to kick off CAAM at Frazier Park with a memorial walk to honor child whose lives were cut short by abuse or neglect. A news conference was held to promote community awareness of child abuse, and Mayor Anthony Foxx read the CAAM proclamation. Dozens of DSS employees and their families, wearing blue T-shirts that read, "Changing Lives, Transforming Families," came out to support the event.
 

Pictures from the CAAM Walk


Turn of the Screw Starts TONIGHT!
The CAAM committee presents a reprise of Henry James' classic, The Turn of the Screw. This story of a young governess called upon to care for two orphaned children brings forward many questions about abuse and its lingering impact. The event is sponsored by the Council for Children's Rights and The Mecklenburg County Child Fatality Prevention and Protection Team. 
 
Event Details
When: April 19, 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Duke Energy Theatre, 345 South College Street
Tickets: $20 per person in advance or at the door. Order at carolinatix.org or by calling 704-372-1000. Proceeds from the play will fund local child abuse awareness initiatives.
 
A community discussion immediately follows each performance. Panelists include Brett Loftis and Libby Kelligrew of The Council for Children's Rights, Mary Wilson and Paul Risk of Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services, Grayce Crockett of Mecklenburg County Area Mental Health, Dr. Kristin Rager of Teen Health Connection, Sarah Greene of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Child Development Community Policing Program and Dr. Preeti Matkins of Pat's Place Child Advocacy Center. We hope to see you there!
 

Kids

DSS dashboard
A snapshot of demand for our services in March
 
Child Protective Services and Foster Care

  •  1,412 children were involved in completed investigations of abuse/neglect.
  • Abuse/neglect allegations were substantiated for 166 (11.8%) of those children.
  • 665 children were served in their homes in an effort to keep those children out of foster care.
  • 31 children entered foster care.
  • 26 children left foster care.
  • 877 children were in foster care at some time during the month.
 Betty Hooper, CPS
Rhonda Taylor, Intake Social Worker (left) and Betty Hooper, Intake/After Hours Supervisor, take calls on the CARE line.

Program spotlight: Child Protective Services

The Youth & Family Services Division of DSS ensures safe, permanent, nurturing families for every child. Our staff investigate child abuse and neglect, help support and preserve families, keep children at risk safe in temporary foster placements and find homes for foster children who need to be adopted. But we cannot do this alone. We need the community's help to spot child abuse and notify us if you worry that a child might be in danger by calling our CARE line at 704-336-CARE (2273). The line is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
 
What information should I have when I call?
If possible, please provide the name(s) of the child(ren) and parent(s), along with their address, phone number and school. The more information we have, the sooner we can get services to the family. If you see abuse happen in public, call 911 and provide as much information as you can (location, license plate, detailed description of people involved, etc.). The police will notify us if they see any signs of abuse or neglect. You can make your report anonymously.
 
What happens when I call?
A social worker will discuss your concerns and ask some questions in order to get as much information as possible. This will help determine whether an investigation or assessment should take place. Your call also helps if the family in question has an open case.
 
Will I know what happens after I call?
If you make a report and want to be notified whether or not the report was accepted for investigation, you must provide your name and address and a letter will be mailed to you within five days. This letter is confidential and will not be provided to the family unless under court order, which is very rare. Once the investigation or assessment is complete, you will also receive a letter explaining the outcome.
 
Law requires that we make reasonable efforts to ensure safety of children in their homes. These efforts may be parenting classes, substance abuse treatment, counseling, etc. We have to present these efforts to court if it is necessary to file for custody. We also explore relative placements before placing a child with a foster family. Foster care placement is always a last resort. 
 
What happens if an investigation does not reveal abuse or neglect?
In addition to our social workers who specialize in child protection, our Community Social Workers are also out in the community every day helping families. When an investigation for abuse abuse or neglect is not substantiated, our Community Social Workers come in and link these families to services throughout the community, such as emergency food pantries, parenting classes or counseling resources to help parents navigate the challenges they face.

Why is it important that I call the CARE Line?
Children cannot protect themselves. North Carlina General Statutes require anyone who suspects abuse to report it. Don't think that you are "butting in" to someone else's business. By making a report, you are allowing professionals determine whether intervention is necessary, and your call could be the first step in restoring a family to a safe and healthy environment.
The Relatives 
 
Partner spotlight: OnRamp
 
 OnRamp is a collaboration between several agencies throughout the community that helps youth who are aging out of the mental health, foster care or juvenile justice system who do not possess the resources needed to become independent. It is a program of The Relatives, which is a subsidiary of Alexander Youth Network. Referrals come from any number of sources, such as provider agencies, schools, families, MeckCARES, DSS's Independent Living Program/The Phoenix Project the Department of Juvenile Justice, or through a self-referral.*
 
The program focuses on five broad areas: health and safety, independent living skills, education, employment and housing. Transition Specialists work with youth based on their goals, whether it is getting their GED, applying for college, or getting a stable job. They use the RENEW model: Rehabilitation for Empowerment, Natural Supports, Education and Work.

"This program is a fit with The Relatives as it essentially extends the work that we have historically done with the older youth who have come through our services," said Brennon Graham, Executive Director of The Relatives. 
 
To qualify for the program, youth must have a mental health diagnosis, be at risk of homelessness or in an unstable living situation and be 16 to 24 years old.
 
There are currently five youth enrolled in the pilot program, with 15 total expected to be enrolled by the end of spring. The OnRamp Resource Center is located at the Children and Family Services Center at 601 East 5th Street
 
To learn more about OnRamp or to make a referral, contact program manager Hontah Epps at [email protected] or (704)943-9597. 
 
* Note: Youth in DSS custody are not referred to OnRamp; rather, they are served by DSS's Independent Living Program.
 

Digital Signage

Digital signage at DSS - submissions wanted!  

DSS has developed digital signage that will display on TV monitors at both our Billingsley Road and Freedom Drive locations. Its purpose is to provide our customers with valuable information about the services we provide while they are waiting in our lobbies. We'll also include useful information on a variety of topics ranging from safe sleep to gun safety.
 
We want to make this opportunity available to all of our partners. Please share any upcoming community events or awareness campaigns you would like to share with our customers.
 
Census small There's still time to be counted!

If you haven't already filled out your Census form and turned it in, please take a few moments to do so. Your information is so confidential that even the president doesn't see it. And Census data has a huge impact on everything from voting districts to the amount of benefits your customers can receive. North Carolina is the 9th fastest growing state in the nation. Let's stand up and be counted!

 
 
In This Issue
Child Abuse Awareness
DSS dashboard
Program spotlight
Partner spotlight
Digital signage
Census 2010
Our Mission
To provide economic and social services to sustain and/or improve the quality of life for Mecklenburg County citizens.
 
Our Vision 
To be an involved and recongized leader in human services, valued by our stakeholders because of our needs-based customer focus in the delivery of services. We will help create a resilient community by proactively investing in our employees, operations and services, and by developing impactful relationships for the benefit of our customers. 
Hours & Locations
CONTACT US
(704) 336-3000
 
Hours
Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sat: 8 a.m. - noon
 
Locations
Kuralt Centre
301 Billingsley Road
 
Chapin Hall @ Valerie C. Woodard Center
3205 Freedom Drive
DSS Satellite Locations
Salvation Army Center of Hope
Thursdays
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
 
Carolinas Healthcare System, Access Program
1216 North Tryon Street 
Wednesdays
9 a.m. - noon
 
Wednesdays
9 a.m. - noon
or 
Wednesdays
 1-4 p.m.
Tuesdays
1-4 p.m.
 
1st & 2nd Monday of each month
9 a.m. - noon
 
Thursdays
10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
Mondays
1:30 - 4 p.m.
 
 
 
Solomon House
200 S. Main St., Huntersville
Fourth Friday of each month
 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
 
Thursdays
9 a.m. - noon
 
Fridays
9 a.m. - noon
 
Tuesdays
9 a.m. - noon
 
Wednesdays
2 - 6 p.m. 
 
Videos You Can Use! 
  
 
State of the County
 
Senior Games
 
Tru
 
CAAM Walk
JAM Event 
 
Application Fairs 
 
Opportunity Project fairs
 
 
 
  
 
County Seal large
A publication of
Mecklenburg County
Department of Social Services 
Upcoming Events
 
The Turn of the Screw - Tickets Still Available!
When: April 19, 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. (community discussion immediately follows)
Where: Duke Energy Theatre at Spirit Square,
345 North College Street
Tickets: $20 per person, call 704-372-1000 or purchase tickets online or at the door.
 
Walk The Course Against Domestic Violence
When: Tuesday, April 27, 3:30 - 5:45 p.m. at Forest Hill Church (check-in); 6 p.m. (walk)
Where: Quail Hollow Championship Golf Course,
3700 Glen Eagles Road
Cost: $25/person through April 22; $35/person to register in person on event day; children 12 & under are free (18 or younger must be accompanied by an adult)
Register: 
www.WalkTheCourseAgainstDV.org  
 
Domestic Violence Lunch & Learn
When: Tuesday, May 4, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Where: Hal Marshall Building, Aud. I & II, 700 North Tryon Street
Cost: FREE
RSVP: Simply show up
 
When: Thursday, May 6, 5:30 p.m.
Where: To be announced
Details: A free, family-friendly event featuring food, fun, prizes and support for youth and families. You will receive a special e-mail when the location is determined.
 
A Noble Cause 
When:
Thursday, May 6, 7 - 10 p.m.
Where: Noble's Restaurant6801 Morrison Boulevard
Tickets:$100/person, order tickets online or send a check to A Noble Cause, c/o Seigle Avenue Preschool, 3045 N. Davidson St.,Charlotte, NC 28205.
Details: Fundraiser for three Charlotte nonprofits: Jacob's Ladder Job Center, Seigle Avenue Preschool Cooperative and the YMCA Strengthening Families Program. An assortment of drinks, hors d'oeuvres and sweets, and live music from The Brubakers will be on hand. 
More info: Pam Janowicz Gray at Seigle Avenue Preschool, 704-345-8823
 
P
ost your event here!
Would you like to post your upcoming event in our newsletter? Just e-mail [email protected]. Please provide the following information:
 
Name of event
Purpose and description
Date and time
Cost
RSVP instructions and registration deadline
Contact for additional information
Additional information (meal provided, parking instructions, etc.)